"The Star attracted me as a
youngster because of a strong "hero worship" on my part
for an older group (but still young) of very talented Star sailors.
No other Class came close in this regard. Later, technology
advancements in sailing (many of which originated in the Star Class)
proved very challenging to me from both a development and
adaptation.

In more recent years, the strong
friendships I have formed over 40 years keeps me involved with Star
Class racing more than any other factor."

"After leaving junior sailing I
had my first Star in 1953. The Star has always been my first choice
in yacht racing. The class has thru the years been the most
competitive of all racing classes and has always attracted the
worlds most prominent sailors. To be on the same race course as the
best has been my challenge."

"My goal in life has been to
become a World Champion. Having raced many classes of sailboats
throughout the world, I have found the Star Class to be the most
challenging, because of the level of competion, its athletes, and
its many Champions.

The Star Class is the "Class of
the Champions."

Paul
Cayard (USA)
Star Class World Champion
America's Cup Helmsman

"For over 70 years the Star
Class has represented the pinnacle of one-design racing. This
reputation is built by its World Champions; names like Straulino,
Knowles, ElvstrÖm, Conner, North, Ficker, Buchan and more recently
Brun, Grael, Reynolds and Macdonnald. I consider the intricacies of
the rig and tuning it for maximum speed in different conditions to
be one of the best educational experiences for any sailor. Many of
the lessons learned racing the Star are applicable to other yachts,
even America's Cup yachts. One last but very important ingredient;
the Star Class has Class! I will always sail Stars."

Kai
Redemann, 19 (GER)

"I have sailed for many years in
the Europe Class and I needed a step-up to another level. I was
attracted to the Star because of its high performance
characteristics and the strong competition at all levels: Fleet,
District and at top events. The Star Class is well organized and
will be my sailing home for the future."

Susie
Pegel (USA)
2 Time Star District 4 Champion

"I came to the Star Class from a
Laser sailing background. I enjoy the Star because it has many of
the same performance characteristics as a Laser and the level of
competition is very high. The Star's sophisticated rig has also
given me an extra challenge. I would recommend the Star to anyone
seeking the ultimate one design racing experience."

Markus
Reger, 20 (GER)

"Looking for an Olympic class
boat, I decided in favour of the Star boat because technically and
tactically it is a very sophisticated boat and very popular around
the Chiemsee (Bavana), my home area, and has a very long tradition.
With that choice I made a childhood dream come true because I had
been fascinated by this elegant sailing boat every since my early
waterside days."

Torben
Grael (BRA)
Soling World Champion
Star Class World Champion

"The reason I sail a Star Boat
is based on some very important facts:

good competition on all levels

good events spread all over the
world

very efficient class organization,
on a very democratic basis

nice balance between tradition and
development

the pleasure of sailing the very
sensible Star

Michael
Hestbaek (DEN)
European Champion

"I came from the Laser Class and
found the Starboat to be a major challenge because of the potential
for so many small adjustments to the rig and trim. You can
constatnly reshape your sails and rig trim to match small changes in
wind and sea conditions. I have found the Star to be the most
developed of the one-design classes."

Dieter
Gast, 24 (USA)

"I sailed O.K. Dinghys in
Hamburg for 6 years, then I moved to Hong Kong where I raced a Laser
for 2 years. I relocated with a new job in Boston, where the best
racing is in Starboats. As a young sailor with my first Star, I can
unequivically say, racing a Star is the most thrilling sailing
challenge you can have."

Ross
Macdonald (CAN)
Olympic Bronze Medal
Star Class World Champion

"There is more to the Star than
just racing. The life long friendships from all over the world and
the Class attracts all levels of sailors. I am amazed that Star
sailors remain competitive into their senior years and yet the Class
continues to attract the very best in young sailors.